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December 2001
Dear Friends:
Greetings from Fortaleza, Brazil.
Amazing! Hard to believe! Indeed, time flies. The year 2001 has
gone and another one is just about to begin. But this time, instead
of looking ahead, I will look back to the last quarter of 2001
and share with you the three most remarkable events that have
touched my life.
First of all, the sad news of the death in September of my friend
and colleague at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Ruvenaldo
Alves de Lima, professor of Old Testament. Ruvenaldo was only
38 years old. The wonderful moments sharing the ministry of teaching
with Ruvenaldo are still fresh in my heart. I remember well how
every time I met Ruvenaldo he spoke to me in English. In spite
of the fact that he never lived in an English-speaking country,
and in spite of his limited English skills, he always handled
a fair conversation. He loved to meet people from other countries,
especially from English-speaking countries, and used these opportunities
to develop his English skills. Though he never practiced with
me the Spanish he knew, I always had the impression Ruvenaldo
was a lover of languages. It is so sad to remember friends like
Ruvenaldo, full of life and joy, living life to the fullest. But
he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and, hard to believe, four
weeks after the cancer was diagnosed, it took his life. Words
of consolation are not sufficient to respond to the question,
"Why Ruvenaldo?" I believe and trust that Ruvenaldo
is in a better place above. His departure in our midst is to those
who knew him deeply an inspiration to continue our daily struggles
in keeping the faith that looks forward to the hope we have in
the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Next, I’d like to share about the life of the seminary where
I teach, which in the last two years has been through a transition.
Eight professors, four full-time and four part-time, have decided
to move on to other ministries in another regions of the country.
These departures have had a tremendous impact on the life of the
seminary. The faculty requested that we be extended for a year
and a half precisely because the seminary is going through a crisis.
Praise the Lord, the Worldwide Ministries Division accepted the
proposal and extended our term expanded. In spite of the adversity
of working in such a short frame of time, the seminary has responded
well, professionally speaking, the demands and challenges. One
more school year has been completed. Many problems and difficulties
were confronted, but I feel very proud of be part of the community.
Last November, 41 students ended their professional and vocational
career at the seminary. Twenty-one students graduated from the
bachelor’s program, 11 students from the lay leadership program,
and 10 students from the music program. All these students were
sent into the world, ready to labor in their own ministries where
God has called each of them to be witnessing of His great love
for humankind. It has been a very difficult and painful school
year, but the promise of God to the Apostle Paul: "My grace
is sufficient" has been a consolation to the seminary. In
2001, the seminary claims its victory on this promise, for this
grace has been more than sufficient.
The other event that really touched my life has been the courage
of the members of the Jereissatti Presbyterian Church, which is
located in the most populated and poorest barrio in South America,
Conjunto Maracanau. By the end of September, the session decided
to renovate and expand the church. The new building will have
a second floor worship services. The first floor will be used
for Sunday school, administration, kitchen, etc. This is quite
a challenge for a church with a yearly budget of $2.500. It’s
our hope that the project will be finished by the end of March
2002. One of the greatest obstacles is the high cost of building
materials The Presbytery of Ceará has donated $400, and
brothers and sisters of the local church are doing many activities
to raise funds. Every single weekend brothers and sisters from
other local Presbyterian churches offer their help and talent.
In the last three months, the church has spent $4,184.39. How
have we survived this far? To be honest, it is God’s miracle.
Another $5,000 is needed to complete the project.
At this time the Jereissatti Presbyterian Church holds its activities
in a childcare center of a nearby Pentecostal church. The church
isn’t charging at all for this. What a blessing!
These three remarkable events have touched my life and the life
of my family. It is my prayer and hope that they may also touch
yours as you read this report I have written with all my heart,
expressing my gratitude to all the Presbyterian churches, friends,
and colleagues that have offered their support in many special
ways in the last four years. To God be the glory and to you all.
Thanks a lot. May God bless you and keep you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2002.
Paz!
The Greens: Ricardo, Reyna, Kerry, Ashley and Richard
The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 258
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